Any tips on finding a 4 day a week job?

[MumbleBag]

I was made redundant from my last job just before I had DD earlier this year. I previously worked 4 days a week after I returned to work after having DS three years ago.

Now that DD is a bit bigger, I've started looking for a new job but really want to work 4 days a week again. I've tried applying for full-time jobs and mentioning that I would like to return to work 4 days a week, but this doesn't seem to get me anywhere. Am I better off not mentioning it until interview? I don't want to be a time waster, but also I just think that by mentioning it, my CV gets put aside.

Has anyone successfully found a 4 day a week job and how did you go about it?

[DustyBaubles]

It varies according to the sector you work in really.

What do you do for a living?

[MumbleBag]

Very office based. I was a Marketing Manager before.

[MumbleBag]

Does anyone have any experience of this?

[emsyj]

I have twice negotiated a FT job down to 4 days, once at interview stage and once after receiving the offer. I wouldn't put it on your CV/application, wait for them to select you and then see how the interview goes. If it seems to be positive and going well, you could bring up the prospect of a 4 day week.

[MumbleBag]

Thanks Emsyj. I'm starting to think that being up front about it isn't working out, so will try negotiating later. Can you tell me more about how you approached it with your new employers?

[Prawntoast]

I've found that the easiest way to get a 4 day role is to take it on a 5 day basis, wait a few months and then ask under flexible working to change. I've not been refused when I have done this twice in the past.

[MangerMinor]

I've been upfront and said I'm only looking for 4 days - though through recruitment agencies, so they are the ones to have the sounding out conversation. The only times I've been ruled out is where I likely wouldn't have been happy anyway (getting their pound of flesh places). But I am a specialist where there are some shortages, and would normally expect to get to the first interview stage at least.

[MumbleBag]

Thanks Prawn. I think I might have to do that if I haven't found anything by next summer.

Good to know it can be done Manger, although not sure I'm that specialised unfortunately.

[lljkk]

job shares, look for that phrase on websites.
There are loads & loads (& loads) of PT workers in my sector (university) including among admin staff.

[emsyj]

The one where I asked at interview, I just went along and we spoke generally about the job (one interviewer was a partner and in charge of the team I was applying to work in, the other was a non-lawyer manager). It was a normal interview situation. The general feeling was that they were going to make me an offer - it was a while ago now so I can't remember exactly what was said, but I think it was general positive stuff about how I would fit in and they were impressed etc - pretty sure they said they were impressed anyway!! When they got to the 'any questions' bit, I said that one thing I wanted to mention was that I would ideally prefer not to work full time and would they consider a 4 day week. The initial reaction was 2 sour faces and the partner said he didn't like people working part time because it made his life difficult (!) but I said to think about it and not give an answer right away. I then got a call from the recruiter that afternoon to say they were offering me the job and 4 days a week was fine, provided my day off was not a Friday as too many other people were off on Fridays.

The job I have now is civil service, so much more flexible and set up for part time work - although I am on a graduate scheme, so I didn't know if it might be full time or nothing because it's a structured course involving a lot of study and face to face learning. When I got the offer, I rang up the number that they gave out for candidates to call with any questions. They said that it would be up to my manager to agree it but generally 4 days a week was acceptable but less would be more difficult although not necessarily impossible. I started full time (as was pregnant by then too!) then I spoke to my manager about going part time after my return. There were various people I had to agree it with (my own manager, the person in charge of the graduate scheme etc) but they were all fine with it. I'm now back at work 2 days a week and go up to 4 days after Christmas.

Hope that helps a bit. There was no option with my current job to apply for part time, it was a standard recruitment process for a standard full time post, I just asked about part time on the off-chance.

[Sallycinnamum]

I agree with other posters, don't mention part time working until you've received a firm job offer.

I'm in the same position as you and I've learnt from bitter experience to never mention wanting to work four days until I've been offered the job.

Also it's worth mentioning compressing hours too if that helps. For most employers it's much easier reducing full time to four days rather than three and the public sector seem to be much more open to this than the private sector from what I've experienced. Good luck OP!